Trading Standards ‘squeeze’ unsafe squishy toys and counterfeit goods off Walsall shelves
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Walsall Council Trading Standards officers have seized 84 illegal and non-compliant products during inspections of 11 traders in Aldridge and Walsall Wood.
During the operation on 21 October 2026, officers seized non-compliant squishy toys and counterfeit Red Bull drinks carrying non-English labelling.
The inspections formed part of the council’s ongoing programme of checks to identify unsafe and counterfeit products and ensure traders comply with Trading Standards legislation.
Poor or non-English labelling can mean products lack essential safety information and manufacturer details, making them difficult to trace. Toys should carry the appropriate CE or UKCA safety marking, along with manufacturer details and relevant age warnings.
Ongoing safety concerns have also been identified with gel-filled squishy toys, including food-shaped designs such as dumplings and butter blocks. Testing of similar products seized by Walsall Trading Standards has identified traces of harmful chemicals such as benzene, a carcinogenic substance associated with serious long-term health risks.
Seized products have also been found to be poorly manufactured, emitting strong chemical odours or containing hazardous compounds. Toys that split or burst can expose their dangerous contents, creating further risks to children.
“ Retailers are responsible for making sure the products they sell meet safety requirements. Toys that look like food can be particularly appealing to young children, so it is important that they are properly tested, labelled and safe to use.
Our officers will continue to visit traders, seize illegal and non-compliant goods and take further action where businesses fail to meet their legal responsibilities. We will not allow unsafe products to be sold at the expense of consumer safety. “
The businesses found to be selling these illicit goods will be subject to further enforcement visits and follow-up action, with the seized items to be destroyed in due course. The businesses involved cannot be named while investigations are ongoing.
Trading Standards officers are also reminding residents to check toy safety before buying. Toys should be purchased from reputable retailers and carry the appropriate CE or UKCA safety mark, manufacturer details, age warnings and safety instructions.
Products with a strong chemical smell, missing safety information or signs of damage should be avoided. Toys that split or leak should be removed from use and kept out of children’s reach.
Squishy toys should never be heated in a microwave. Social media trends encouraging this can pose a serious safety risk, as the gel inside can become extremely hot and the toy can burst, releasing hot contents that cause burns and scalds.
Residents who wish to report concerns about faulty or dangerous goods can contact Walsall Council’s Trading Standards team by emailing tradingstandards@walsall.gov.uk.
For advice on consumer protection issues, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
